Mikel Arteta has reportedly given an emotional address to Manchester City players and staff before departing for Arsenal.
Arteta has agreed a deal to return to north London as manager, replacing Spanish compatriot Unai Emery after his sacking last month.
According to The Athletic , Arteta said his goodbyes at City’s Etihad Campus on Thursday morning, immediately leaving before their training session to finalise his Arsenal arrangements.
The 37-year-old reportedly gave an emotional speech to players and staff, leaving after three-and-a-half years as part of Pep Guardiola’s backroom staff.
He is set to be unveiled as Arsenal manager on Friday after the club rearranged their press conference to preview Saturday’s clash with Everton , due to take place today.
Arteta could take charge of his first game against the Toffees, another of his former clubs, this weekend.
He will be tasked with turning around Arsenal’s miserable season, taking over from interim boss Freddie Ljungberg.
Arteta is reportedly set to keep Ljungberg as part of the first-team picture when he takes over.
Ljungberg was promoted to the first-team by Unai Emery in the summer, having previously worked with the club’s Under-23s side.
ESPN reports Arteta is keen to keep Ljungberg on in some capacity, although the requirements of his role are unclear.
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Arteta’s arrival comes with the backing of former manager Arsene Wenger.
“I believe that Arteta has certainly a great future, he has certainly learned a lot in his first position as an assistant coach.
“After that as well he will have to deal with the fact that he has no experience at that level and he will have to get surrounded well, have a good environment at the club.
“The most important thing is that every club, Arsenal especially, is built on special values. Inside the club, people have to take care of that. That is the most important thing.
“What makes a club great is the values of the club. You have to be faithful to that and continue to develop that and he will have to respect that if he comes in.
“The club has to make the right decisions. It is built on good values and good players. The club has to get those two together.
“I will support him, just as I have supported Freddie Ljungberg and I support Arsenal.”
